Foldable shipping box



Oct. 4, 1955 c. A. HesER 2,719,664

FOLDABLE SHIPPING BOX Filed Jan. 22, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C'IflLHQQS'ZQI INVENTOR,

BY I] I I A ATTORNEYS.

Oct 1955 c. A. HESTER 2,719,664

FOLDABLE SHIPP ING BOX Filed Jan. 22, 195] 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

BY W.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent FOLDABLE SHIPPING BOX Clarence A. Hester, Prosser, Wash.

Application January 22, 1951, Serial No. 207,164

1 Claim. (Cl. 229-23) This invention relates to a carton or shipping box, constructed primarily for the shipment of berries and perishable fruit, an important object of the invention being to provide a shipping box which is delivered to the purchasers of the boxes or cartons for use in shipping berries or fruit, in knocked down condition to be readily and easily erected for use.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a shipping box or carton embodying a plurality of superimposed sections so constructed and arranged that the upper shipping box section provides the cover for the adjacent lower box, thereby decreasing the cost of the shipping boxes to the user, to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby the box sections may be firmly secured together in tiers to prevent displacement of the box sections while in shipment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shipping box blank whichwhen folded to provide the shipping box, will be exceptionally strong and durable, the strength of the shipping boxes or sections being such that they will adequately support the shipping boxes or sections arranged thereabove, together with the contents of the boxes or sections.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a bottom plan view of one of the box sections looking into the interior of the box, with one end and one end of one side of the box being folded upwardly and inwardly, in the process of forming the box.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental perspective view of one corner of the box illustrating the positions of the side and end members of the box prior to the final positioning thereof to form the box.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a shipping box constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating a pair of sections as connected, and a cover section applied to the upper section closing the box.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the carton or box is made up of a plurality of box sections arranged in tiers, the number of the box sections being varied, according to the requirements of usage.

The box sections when arranged in tiers, embody a plurality of superimposed identical sections, constructed of any suitable material, such as heavy cardboard, sheet metal or the like.

The blanks from which the box sections are formed, include a main portion 5 having upwardly foldable side members 6 and inwardly foldable end members 7, the end members including inwardly foldable strips 8 adapted to fold over the upper edges of the side members 6, which 2,719,664 Patented Oct. 4, 1955 in the formation of the box sections, are foldd over the 7 ends of members 6.

At the ends of the strips 8 are end sections 9 which are bent downwardly over the ends of the side members 6, in the formation of the box sections, where they are stapled, as by means of the staples 10. The end members 7 are formed with tabs 11, that are cut from the end members 7 and folded downwardly, overlying the adjacent lower end members 7, connecting the box sections when they are stacked one upon another in the formation of a tier of boxes. Staples 12 are used in securing the 'tabs 11 to the adjacent lower end member.

At the ends of the side members 6, are formed end pieces 13 which are designed for folding inwardly, the end pieces being of lengths so that they will close substantially one half of the openings 14, formed when cutting the end members in forming the tabs. 11, thereby guarding the openings 14 to prevent the berries or fruit from passing therefrom.

Tabs 15 are cut from the side members 6, at points intermediate the ends of the side members 6, the tabs being folded downwardly over the upper edge of the adjacent lower side member of the section disposed directly thereunder, staples 16 being provided for securing the tabs 15 of one section to the adjacent section. These tabs 15 contribute added strength to the shipping boxes, when arranged in tiers, as shown by Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The reference character 17 indicates a cover, which is also constructed of heavy cardboard material, the cover having downwardly turned marginal edges 18 adapted to fit over the upper edges of the side members .6 and inwardly folded strips 8, the portions 18 overlying portions of the side members 6 and end sections 9. The cover 17 is formed with portions 19 that are formed by slitting the cover 17 at 20 and 21, to the end that the portions 19 may be folded rearwardly providing openings to permit stapling devices to be used in stapling the cover to the tier of boxes or containers after the boxes or containers have been packed for shipment.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, I have provided a carton or shipping box embodying a plurality of superimposed sections so constructed and arranged that the bottom of one section provides the cover for the adjacent lower section, the tier of boxes or cartons arranged by placing one upon another being closed by means of a cover which may be stapled in place, in a manner as described.

It will also be seen that due to the construction shown and described, the carton or box sections are securely held together against shifting with respect to each other, the tabs 11 used for securing the box sections or cartons against shifting, being also constructed to contribute to the strength and durability of the carton or shipping box.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A shipping container embodying superposed box sections, each section comprising a bottom and upwardly folded side and end members, said side and end members having U-shaped cuts therein with the ends of the cuts terminating at the lower edges of said side and end members at the fold lines between the bottom and said members, providing hinged tab members, said tab members being folded downwardly below said bottom into contact with the outer surface of the adjacent lower box section and secured thereto, wide inwardly folded end strips overlying portions of the top of each section at the ends thereof, forming a part of each end member, the ends of said strips being turned downwardly over and secured to said side members thereunder, inwardly folded ends formed on the side members overlying only portions of the cutout portions in said end members, staples securing said tabs to the side and end members of the adjacent lower box section securing the box sections against shifting with respect to each other, and a cover closing the uppermost box section.

7 References .Cited'in the file of this patent Mandeville Dec. 29 19 14 Dyson May 8, 1917 Pellymounter Mar. 14, 1933 Huflield Nov. 18, 1941 Reeser Sept. 18, 1951 Evans Apr. 29, 1952 

